Building on Faith

Building on Faith
The faith community is called to live out God’s command to love one another by putting aside theological difference and instead raising a hammer to ensure that all of His people have at least a simple, decent place to live. Our Building on Faith Program mobilizes people of faith to build houses, build communities and build lives as an expression of God’s love.

Building on Faith 2008 - 2009
Habitat for Humanity Lake County welcomes the faith community to fund and build one house at Carter Crossing in 2008. All churches, temples, mosques and others are encouraged to prayerfully consider a commitment to one family. Clergy are welcome to build with us on Clergy Day on June 25th.

Plans call for a Groundbreaking Ceremony on September 28th as part of Day of Prayer Week . Teams of volunteers from the congregations can form teams to build the house over the Fall, Winter and Spring months. Together, we’ll dedicate the house in Summer 2009.

People bless the worksite as a part of a groundbreaking ceremony in Carter Crossing.

We invite your donations to raise $100,000 to cover the cost of the house. Today, $6000 is already in hand. Habitat staff and Partner Families are available to vist faith communities to share our stories and our hope. We want to work with faith communities to enliven fundraising activities. And of course, loads of prayer will be necessary to bring people together to solve one family’s housing needs permanently.

You can show your support through your donation. Click here to donate today. Contact Jeff Smith at 847-623-1020 or jeff@habitatlc.org to request a speaker for your congregation and to get started.

Congregations and people of faith have a long history of sponsoring homes with HFHLC with 35 homes already sponsored by faith groups. Currently, three Building on Faith houses are underway this year.

Presbyterian Partners
1629 11th Court, Waukegan  -  The Samuel and Marina Granadeno Family
The Presbyterian Partners are enthusiastically building their second  sponsored house with HFHLC. Click here to learn more about the Presbyterian Partners.

Glencoe Interfaith Builders
1625 11th Court, Waukegan  -  The Maria Ortiz Family
Both Jewish and Christian people work together in an interfaith spirit with others in their community as the Glencoe Interfaith Builders build their fourth  Habitat home in Lake County. Click here to learn more about the Glencoe Interfaith Builders

Thrivent Builds and Lutheran Congregations
1653 11th Court, Waukegan  -  The Angela Ford Family
The Lutheran Churches partner through a program of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a fraternal organization building over 300 homes this year nationwide and throughout the world.  The Thrivent Builds program and the Lutheran churches are sponsoring their seventh  home in Lake County this year. Click here to learn more about Thrivent Builds.

A homeowner reads scripture as part of a dedication ceremony in Carter Woods.
Other Ways Your Congregation Can Help
Pray

Without the continuing prayers of millions of people, Habitat's work could not continue.

Support Habitat financially

Encourage your congregation to include Habitat for Humanity in its mission work.

Make regular donations to Habitat for Humanity Lake County or take up special Habitat for Humanity offerings.

Provide in-kind goods and services. (For example, a roofer in your congregation might volunteer to do the roofing work on a Habitat house.)

Raise funds to build all or part of a house. A congregation may sponsor a house individually or join with another congregation to raise the money and build a house together.

Participate in Building on Faith iby raising funds, participating in the planning, or volunteering at the worksite

Tithe — In keeping with the Biblical Tithe Habitat for Humanity Lake County gives one-tenth of the money you donate to Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Make an online donation to Habitat for Humanity Lake County

Volunteer

Build strength and unity within your congregation as you work toward the common goal of helping others.

Organize volunteers for a house that your congregation funds or helps fund.

Join volunteer teams who are working on special church builds in Lake County and around the world.

Serve HFHLC in non-construction areas like land acquisition, family services, public relations, recruiting church support and more.

Engage Your Community

Continue to be a voice for those in need even after construction is complete

Host speakers on housing issues -- including representatives from Habitat for Humanity Lake County -- to raise awareness of the need for decent housing.

Write letters to the editor and speak out about positive experiences your church has had building houses. Also be in touch with legislators and other community services groups. Make the commitment to become advocates for housing.